A friendly neighbor for more than a century
I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. My hospital in California seemed cold and I was just part of the herd. Very sad feeling. Then I found a clinical trial I wanted to be a part of that took me to UCC, Omaha, NE, and Dr. Luke. I have been traveling [half] way across the country to be a part of that trial. Around 30 trips so far and from the very first trip, I have never regretted it. Great personal care that makes you feel like you’re part of their family and they really care about you. I would like to say to Dr. Luke, the front desk, nurses, NPs, techs, and all the folks I have met at UCC you are top notch professionals and a great team with heart!! See ya next trip!
Dr. Luke Nordquist has been managing my incurable prostate cancer since 2017 when surgical intervention in 2016 did not succeed in removing cancer from me. He is a straight shooter who provides great overviews of what is happening and how it will be addressed. He places you at ease during a time where you need that most. He told me in 2017 that at that time, there is no cure for me but that were ample methods of controlling cancer and keeping me healthy. As I approach my seventh year of treatment, cancer is barely detectable and I am indeed healthy. Dr. Nordquist and his awesome staff are calming, and attentive to patients. All men with prostate cancer should be aware of the tremendous success that he has in treating prostate cancer. Kudos to Dr. Nordquist !!!
Your adventure continues here! Ovation is for older adults who wish to maintain the freedom they love while having assistance where needed. Our goal at Ovation Heartwood Preserve is to support an active adult lifestyle by promoting health, fitness, and relaxation.
ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
◊ No buy-in – unique in senior living!
◊ Month-to-month rent
◊ First-class concierge services
◊ Multiple in-house restaurants
◊ Fitness center with warm water pool and spa tub
MEMORY CARE BASED ON CONNECTIONS
◊ Connections program featuring music, art, and more
◊ NEW female-only memory care neighborhood, Meadowlark
Independent Living coming soon! Ask about being added to our waiting list.
We want to hear from you. Ideas, suggestions, compliments and critiques, send them to us at Kathy@EdgeMagazine.com
August, but summer isn’t over yet. There’s still plenty of time to take that vacation, enjoy an outdoor concert, or relax with friends for a weekend brunch. This issue focuses on family—from family-owned businesses to great local places where you can make family memories this summer.
Union Bank & Trust is a Nebraska-based bank that has been led by three generations of the Dunlap family. With its newest Omaha location open in the Heartwood Preserve, the bank’s team is eager to help customers with any solution, no matter how big or small.
For a local family entertainment destination, check out the newly-remodeled 88 Tactical. Your day can include a workout in the fitness center, games in the Topgolf swing suite, one of the many classes offered, a meal in the Founder’s Club restaurant, and eventually an outdoor pool and entertainment venue.
Omaha’s first champagne bar, Sips on 10th, is now open downtown. Owned by siblings Jaclyn DiGiacomo Oltmans and her brothers Mike and Dominic DiGiacomo along with partners Thuc and Jen Tran, Sips offers upscale bites, a variety of wines and champagnes, and a craft cocktail menu that you can enjoy inside the roomy restaurant or outdoors on the new deck.
Summer concerts are a must, and the Shadow Ridge Music Festival is hosting a lineup of iconic bands: The Samples, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Collective Soul, and headliner Bare Naked Ladies will rock West Omaha on September 8th.
If you’re planning a late-summer getaway, check out the Wellness feature for some tips on traveling with young kids to help them (and you) get much-needed sleep while away.
Our Varsity Corner, Youth, Style, Cocktail, and Passion Spotlight features will inspire and leave you with that feelgood vibe only summer can bring.
Kathy Rygg Executive Editor
After two long years of waiting, Boys Town students are thrilled to start their school year off in a brand new building — the Boys Town Education Center!
Before coming to Boys Town, many of our boys and girls have never had the opportunity to attend a well-resourced school where they can receive a quality education. With new, innovative learning spaces, modern-day technology and cutting-edge science laboratories, we can support our students and our educators with the tools and environment they need to be most successful.
Thank you for your support to turn this dream into a reality!
Cement Your Legacy of Support to Boys Town Students!
When you buy a paver to be placed in front of the new Education Center, your generous gift in support of Boys Town youth will be on full display for you and others to see for years to come.
AUGUST 2023
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west Omaha has long been regarded as a desirable place to live for a number of reasons, including its practical conveniences and charming locale. Because of these motivating factors among others, the ever-growing community proved to be an ideal location to develop a unique housing experience that was otherwise unavailable in the area, according to Mandy Bierman,
realtor with The Cizek Stork Group – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate. This oneof-a-kind opportunity comes in the form of luxury condo units—which are sold as empty shells ready to be customized to each buyer’s preference—situated on the penthouse floor of the new Aloft Omaha West boutique hotel by Marriott. “There is nothing like this out west,” Bierman said.
Listed in April 2023, the unfinished condo units can be modified in size. For example, a potential buyer may choose to purchase anywhere from a minimum of 2,000 square feet to just under 6,500 square feet. Similar to building a home, buyers also have the freedom to choose their own builder, use their own plan, select all finishes, and design the space. While some may opt to add touches from their previous home, others may choose to create an entirely different style in their new living quarters. “Buyers are not tied to anything, so the sky’s the limit on what can be done,” Bierman said.
Each condo comes with two garage spaces that are located in an attached indoor private parking garage, which has enclosed access to the building for condo owners only. Additionally, one of the added perks of purchasing a unit is 24-hour front desk service offered through the hotel. This feature provides both convenience and peace of mind, Bierman said. All the amenities of the hotel main floor, including the craft cocktail bar, indoor lap pool, and fitness area, are accessible for use as well. Plus,
a condo owner can choose to purchase any item from the snack bar in the lobby and it will be charged directly to their unit just like it would be during a typical hotel stay.
A conference hall is available to rent for parties, meetings, or other special occasions, alleviating the stress of planning an event elsewhere. There are plans for a restaurant on the main floor of the hotel, adding another layer of convenience, especially on nights when cooking doesn’t sound particularly appealing.
Living at Aloft makes hosting guests a breeze, Bierman said. “When guests come to visit, they can simply book a room at the hotel. You can easily take them for drinks in the lobby at the WXYZ Bar and not have to worry about driving anywhere. Plus, there is a fun space with a pool table to hang out at on the main floor. It’s especially nice to have access to all of these amenities if you were previously used to having a big basement for entertaining. In this setting, you are still getting all the space while living in a condo that requires no maintenance.” Hosting isn’t limited to indoors, either, as an outside courtyard
equipped with patio tables and chairs is also available to all condo owners and their guests.
The condos’ prime location offers close proximity to Village Pointe shopping center, various restaurants, a movie theater, grocery store, coffee shop, banks, and medical care. On the other side of the hotel lies a neighborhood with easy access to walking trails and a park with a splash pad.
According to Bierman, this is a chance like no other. “From the customization factor to the convenient location to the resort-like living with all of the amenities, this is truly a special opportunity in West Omaha. It’s urban living that offers elements of a traditional community, too. It’s really the best of both worlds from all angles.”
For more information or to schedule a private showing, contact Deb Cizek at 402-699-5223 or Mandy Bierman at 402-212-6208, realtors with The Cizek Stork Group – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate.
Darcy Swope, a Nebraska/Iowa Chapter Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (CCF) board member, has witnessed first-hand the impact inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can have on someone’s life. Her son, Riley, first experienced symptoms in high school but wasn’t diagnosed with ulcerative colitis until his freshman year of college. According to the Mayo Clinic, ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract.
“When Riley was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, our care manager at the Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates office introduced us to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation,” Swope said. The CCF dedicates time to finding a cure for children and adults impacted by IBD. Through her role on the board, Swope helps organize events and encourages others, includ-
ing her coworkers at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE), to come out and support the foundation’s mission.
“As a board member, one of my goals is to raise awareness of this chronic illness,” Swope said. “Because of his symptoms, Riley’s doctors originally misdiagnosed him with the flu or a virus before his liver enzymes dropped low enough to get a colonoscopy. It took two years to get an official diagnosis.”
Swope explained that approximately 3 million people are affected by Crohn’s and colitis today, most of whom are diagnosed before they turn 18, like Riley. After Riley’s diagnosis, he joined a support group through the CCF, which was life-changing for their family. “Just to have him in a room with other people battling the same conditions and going through the same treatment helped us cope,” Swope said. “As a mother, I was trying to find the right resources to help my son manage this condition and live his life.”
Now 27, Riley’s ulcerative colitis is in remission with treatment, and Swope said her son is “thriving, living his best life.” “I feel blessed there’s a foundation supporting these patients and companies like Blue Cross providing space and resources for fundraising, researching and educating on this disease.” she said.
Each year, Swope captains a team of BCBSNE employees during the CCF local chapter’s Take Steps event, which raises awareness, funds research, and honors the journeys of those living with IBD. BCBSNE is a proud sponsor of the event, which was held on Saturday, June 24th this year.
“In addition to participating in Take Steps, BCBSNE donates meeting space for physician education and sets up tables to show support,” Swope said. “Knowing my employer cares about me and my family’s health makes all the difference.”
Companies might be surprised how many of their employees benefit from Take Steps or other events hosted by the CCF. “Treatment and education for these conditions wasn’t easily accessible in the past,” Swope said. “We feel lucky Riley has found this support network, and by sharing our story, we hope other families who might be struggling with a chronic illness can find theirs.”
ou’ve got to look for places that people don’t do things.” This quote by Jay Dunlap, founder of Union Bank & Trust (UBT), has always been the bank’s philosophy—find a way to help customers where others can’t. This third-generation, family-owned bank has a century-old history founded on hard work and strong relationships built on trust.
After decades of acquiring small banks in Nebraska and capitalizing on opportunities during industry downturns, UBT is now the largest bank in Lincoln, NE. The company continues to focus on growth. In addition to its location on 177th and West Center Road, UBT opened a 5-story, 137,000 sq. ft. flagship location at the Heartwood Preserve in Omaha
last fall. With a full suite of banking services that includes a retail branch and drive-thru, commercial lending, investment, and trust services, UBT is poised to take care of its customers, employees, and the community—a motto etched in stone outside the new Omaha building.
Three generations have led UBT— Dunlap started the bank, his daughter, Angie Muhleisen is the current UBT CEO & President, and her son, Jason, will one day take over the helm. Each generation brings their unique talent, but Dunlap’s original management style has been passed down and embraced by his family.
Tom Weinandt, UBT’s regional president, described that style as “entrepreneurial, accessible, and nimble.” Management has an open-door policy to answer questions and find solutions quickly and easily. “We want our employees to be creative with ways they can help our customers, and having accessibility to anyone in the company helps them quickly do that,” he said.
“Empowering” is a word that John Sutera, UBT’s vice president, Trust Administration, added to the list of the company’s management style. “They empower employees to do what they need to do,” he explained. “They remove the obstacles by giving them the resources they need. And if an employee has a new idea, [management] encourages them to share it.”
Sutera said he’s never experienced that type of accessibility and flexibility before—communicating with management was nearly impossible and opening a simple business checking account could take up to 10 days at previous jobs. At UBT, he said it’s as easy as sending an email or walking into someone’s office, and with proper documentation, they can open an account the same day. “We can get things done, do it right, and do it efficiently.”
A bank with UBT’s longevity translates to employees that have extensive experience and knowledge. Some UBT employees in Lincoln have been with the bank for 45 years. Both Weinandt and Sutera have more than 35 years each in the banking industry, both in the Omaha market. The industry goes through cycles, and that kind of experience not only helps customers but helps younger employees learn the cycles as well. “We’re proud of the
longevity of our employees, and it’s a testament to the organization that people are willing to stay so long,” Weinandt said.
UBT’s team-oriented culture is what enables the company to have its “yes” mentality. No matter what the customer needs, they’ll do their best to find a solution. “It may be a different solution than what they’re used to, but we’ll find a way to make both sides happy,” Sutera said. Within his wealth management division, Sutera works with a lot of families on multigenerational planning. He has a family in which he worked with the father, son, and now opened an account for the newborn grandson. “I know everything about that family, and it’s amazing. They know they can call me, and if I don’t know the answer, I can immediately ask Tom or someone else and they can help find a solution.”
Because UBT has a wide footprint in Lincoln, it opened its newest location in Omaha to increase visibility and growth in the market. According to Weinandt, that growth starts with
hiring good people. “We attract good people by having a good culture that people like,” he said.
Some of the perks of working at UBT include lunch that is provided four days a week, a wellness program that includes fitness classes, heart health, wellness webinars, and community involvement. Philanthropy has also been a Dunlap family value, and UBT is eager to support causes that are important to employees and customers.
Building relationships with customers is just as important as building them with employees. UBT’s family culture encourages and empowers employees to show they care, whether it’s sending a note because a client’s son played well in a high school football game or calling a client to wish them a happy birthday.
Sutera said enabling their employees to be on the front line is the best way to foster those relationships. “Our employees are experts at what they do, so we let them do the work and get to know the customer. Being entwined with the customer builds loyalty.”
UBT expects to continue to build that customer loyalty in the Omaha market. Both Weinandt and Sutera have no doubt the company is well positioned and flexible enough to handle any client’s diverse needs. Weinandt concluded, “We’re a full-service bank with local decision-making ability. We are hard-working, honest, and look for clients who can grow with us. We’re here for you and our goal is to find a way to get it done.”
“We attract good people by having a good culture that people like.”
– Tom Weinandt
On Friday, September 8, the 5th annual Shadow Ridge Music Festival returns with its biggest lineup to date. Grammy nominated indie-rock legends, Barenaked Ladies, will headline the show, along with 90s icons Collective Soul and Toad the Wet Sprocket. The Samples, a fan favorite of the early 90s Omaha music scene, will open the show.
“Cumulatively, this lineup has sold nearly 20 million albums and has produced more than a dozen hit songs,” said festival founder Justin Shanahan. “This is, without a doubt, our strongest lineup from start to finish. If you are a fan of 90s music, it is a show you won’t want to miss.”
All the bands are widely regarded for their live performances and have been playing to sold out crowds for over 30 years. “If you haven’t seen Barenaked Ladies or Collective Soul live, you are in for a special experience,” said Shanahan. “Not only do they have tons of hit songs, they bring tremendous energy to their performance and have an incredible rapport with their audience during live shows. This is the perfect lineup for an outdoor summer concert.”
In addition to great music and cold beverages, a dozen local restaurants and food trucks will be on hand for festival goers to enjoy. “Great food is important, and we always try to bring in interesting local food trucks that represent the diverse Omaha culinary scene. We have some great new additions this year that festival goers will love.”
Once again, the Shadow Ridge Music Festival has partnered with the Lane Thomas Foundation, founded locally by Matt and Melissa Graves, and a portion of every ticket sold will go to supporting families of children in need of life-saving transplants.
“The Lane Thomas Foundation is an organization that is near and dear to us, and last year, we were able to raise over $20,000 for them. We feel it’s important to continue giving back to the community, and the Lane Thomas Foundation is the perfect charitable organization for us to partner with,” Shanahan said. “I encourage everyone to visit www.LaneThomas.Org and learn about the incredible work Matt and Melissa are doing to support these families who are facing incredible adversity.”
With just over 6,000 in attendance last year, the Shadow Ridge Music Festival was one of the biggest paid outdoor concerts in Omaha in 2022, putting it on the map as West Omaha’s premier concert event of the summer. “I am proud of the fact that our festival continues to grow, and we now host one of the best live music events of the summer in West Omahan’s backyard. The support from our community has been incredible.”
to protect and serve, police officers must go to great lengths to keep their communities safe. 88 Tactical’s Founder and President, Shea Degan, knows this first hand—his background in law enforcement led him to create an organization that focuses on building people’s confidence in crisis situations. Although this stands as the company’s mission, the extensive entertainment destination caters to multiple experiences where people can dine, work out, and explore recreational activities in a family-centric environment.
Trevor
Story by NICOLE BUNTGEN Photos by CHRISTOPHER TIERNEY PHOTOGRAPHYDegan’s first company, Signal 88, was a security company whose name referenced Nebraska police code 88, which means “situation secure.” Degan used the same number when naming 88 Tactical in connection to the company’s mission for safety. Its first location in Tekamah, NE, served as an outdoor training facility. As groups demanded more safety courses, Degan and his business partners realized they needed to venture beyond the 160-acre outdoor space and create a facility in Omaha. “The more we trained people, the more we developed a community for people concerned about self-defense,” said Degan’s business partner Trevor Thrasher. In 2017, 88 Tactical opened its flagship location in Papillion, NE.
At the beginning of its launch, the company was branded as a “guntry club” due to its heavy focus on shooting ranges. Although the facility offered amenities like a small cafe and retail options, Degan said they wanted to soften their approach and shift the focus to welcoming families. “Like a lifestyle center—a place they can bring their kids,” he said. Cognizant of members’ needs and open-minded, Degan said
he’s always willing to listen to members and learn what they want, which led the company to add other elements that cater to more people’s interests. “It helps introduce the whole family to the brand and facility, which allows people to experience not only the food but also learn about other classes they can relate to,” said Director of Operations Grant Gallo.
Initially, the company stood by its “those who respond, prevail” tagline before changing it to “discover your confidence.” From kids taking anti-bullying and anti-abduction classes to women learning primal defense tactics, Degan said they received consistent feedback that people felt more confident after taking a class. “That’s the most exciting thing to see—the change we make in people’s lives,” he said. Although the facility offers many amenities, the biggest takeaway is helping people build their confidence and carry the concepts through other aspects of their life. “The strongest thing about us is we’re turning students into community members and
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community members into students,” Thrasher added.
Despite the wide range of offerings and community groups that use the facility, the perception still exists that 88 Tactical is a gun range that caters only to law enforcement. “It goes beyond the walls of this place, but it’s not easy to get that point across,” Trasher said. Degan mentioned that the facility’s previous exterior didn’t help—it was “blocky” and looked like a typical shooting range with no clear indication of what was inside. “Until people get inside these walls, they have no idea what this [facility] is,” Gallo added.
Entertainment, education, and wellness make up the facility’s key offerings. The entertainment and wellness options extend beyond gun ranges, including a Topgolf Swing Suite, an extensive 24/7 fitness center, full-service Pro Shop, and an upscale bar and restaurant experience. Kids can enroll in safety training classes, like anti-bullying and anti-abduction or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and adults can discover their confidence through firearm and self-defense training or learn basic survival skills.
Brand Ambassador Randy Goodwin said the class offerings don’t revolve around weapons; instead, it’s education about the company’s culture and how to protect oneself with or without a gun. “From the moment people walk in, they feel like they belong, and they feel loved,” he said. “Beyond learning skills, they’re learning about the people here. We’re not gun-toting crazy people. The culture here is completely different from what most people think until they walk in the door.”
Taking 88 Tactical to the next level, the company hopes to break ground on phase two of its expansion in fall 2023, including a pool complex, pickleball courts, outdoor event space, and more. Despite the company’s focus on local expansion, 88 Tactical plans to duplicate its facility in multiple markets across the country and stay corporately owned in Omaha. “When you’re part of this community, the takeaway is building confidence,” Degan said. “Our number one goal is to create a family-friendly environment where anyone is welcome and there’s something for everyone.”
rowing up, it seemed unlikely that Jaclyn DiGiacomo Oltmans and her brothers Mike and Dominic DiGiacomo would collaborate on four successful business ventures in Omaha, but Omaha sippers are grateful they did. Through their business Social Holdings, they are current owners of unique establishments Blackstone Social, Social, and Segreto, and the siblings, along with their new partners Thuc and Jen Tran, recently debuted Sips on 10th, a sparkling spot in the heart of Omaha’s Little Italy.
Given the family’s history in the neighborhood, Sips general manager and owner Oltmans was keen on the former Joe Banana’s location from the start (the family celebrated their patriarch’s 80th birthday at the long-time Omaha bar and eatery). “I believe the neighborhood is thriving,” Oltmans said. “When we bought the property, the former owner was adamant about the new space bringing revitalized energy to the area.”
According to Oltmans, champagne is the fasting growing beverage segment among imbibers age 25 – 54. That fact, coupled with her experience living in larger markets like Chicago, inspired Oltmans to embrace and then hone a champagne concept that would thrive in Omaha. The team wanted to bring a lively, yet affordable, champagne bar to their beloved neighborhood by serving global sips paired with heavy hors d’Oeuvres.
Celebratory vibes and a relaxed air imbue the spacious yet cozy space, with a seating style for everyone. Patrons seeking a buzzing social vibe flock to the 360-degree-square bar area, perfect for meeting someone new, chatting with staff, or catching up with old friends. Others prefer the slower, quieter casual dining pace of the low-top tables on the lower area, and three garage doors open off the lower level to reveal a spacious outdoor courtyard. According to Oltmans, Sips has hosted wedding showers, baby showers, birthday parties, and more. “People are making memories at our establishment; we love to hear and share in their joy.”
The clever “Something to Sip” menu features approachable red and white wines, sparkling wines, and champagnes by the glass or bottle. Oltmans favors interesting bottles from around the world. “The cool thing about Sips is we have sparkling
Elkhorn Athletic Association is a nonprofit youth sports organization that offers nine sports (Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Football, Soccer, Softball, Wrestling, Lacrosse, Track and Field). EAA provides programs commensurate with ability, potential, and interest at the developmental, recreational, competitive, and adaptive levels for athletes in kindergarten through high school. EAA is a place for all kids to play!
wine from California, Cava from Spain, Prosecco from Italy, high-end French bottles like Dom Perignon and Krug, and everything in between. Prices are reasonable—I didn’t want it to be a pretentious champagne bar.”
Shareable plates such as charcuterie with olives and nuts, flatbreads, or a big Bavarian pretzel foster a sense of merriment, inviting guests to linger over time with friends and family. Fans of Caniglia’s Venice Inn can get their nostalgic escargot fix, and gouda is good here in the form of two dishes: an elevated mac and cheese and draped over tender Angus beef caramelized onion sliders served on soft, sweet rolls. To sate heartier appetites, larger plates such as beef medallions with rice and asparagus or the lamb lollipops (lamb chops) are available.
The cocktail menu is equally creative, allowing customers to fizz or not fizz. Highlights include the Aperol Flip— Sips’ take on an Aperol spritz that is dry shaken with egg white to make it rich and frothy. Another option is a twist on the classic Champagne Cocktail—a single sugar cube in the bottom of a flute doused in bitters and topped with champagne. Over the course of the evening, the sugar cube dissolves and provides a sweet kick to cut through the fizz. “From the Champagne Margarita to bourbon with bubbles, I would say our cocktail bubbles list is not something you see very often,” Oltmans said.
A self-professed “people person,” Oltmans adores her job. She shared, “I love going down to Sips and meeting all the people that come in and hearing their stories, whether they are getting on a train, going to the airport, or pop-
WHEN YOU’RE READY FOR A CHANGE, COME SEE DR. ZACH KUCERA
ping in from just down the street.” The owner especially appreciates seeing the amazement on the faces of neighborhood people who have witnessed the entire transformation from Joe Banana’s to Sips on 10th.
“I want everyone who visits to be comfortable and feel like they can stop in whether they are celebrating a birthday or an engagement,” she said. “I want them to feel like ‘this is a place I want to return to.’” Prices are set to encourage trying new things, and staff enjoys educating patrons on beverage offerings, especially the champagne and sparkling wines.
The Little Italy community is important to Oltmans, so she is developing a dedicated Little Italy business association for the many businesses continuing to pop up in the area. Exchanges with nearby theater Blue Barn and the Omaha Performing Arts are key, and Oltmans hopes to soon form a relationship with the Western Heritage Museum.
Sips on 10th is open Monday through Thursday 4pm to midnight; Friday 2pm to 2am; Saturday 10am to 2am for brunch and dinner, and Sunday 10am to 4pm for brunch. The weekend brunches feature items such as lemon ricotta pancakes, mimosas, sangria, and Little Italy eggs benedict, all of which can be enjoyed this summer in the sunny courtyard.
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atie LeDoux can see the meaningful fruits of her team’s labor when she strolls through a beautified downtown Omaha, when she visits a south Omaha boxing club, or a store for foster kids to shop for free clothes. Since launching her Sun-
flower Grant Writers firm in 2020, LeDoux has helped secure over $1 million in grants for all types of organizations—small and large, nonprofit and for profit—with worthwhile wish lists that include arts programs for kids, city development, and health care expansion.
“It’s so rewarding,” said LeDoux, who moved to Omaha in 2017 and has made hundreds of business connections since then. “So many people that we work with have these incredible ideas and passions for what they want to do to make the world a better place. It’s an incredible feeling to tap into what they’re doing and be a small part of the good they’re accomplishing. Sometimes I feel like I won the lottery to get to do what I do.”
LeDoux brought the perfect background to Omaha to launch Sunflower. She picked up research, writing, ethics, and leadership as part of her course work as an art history and public policy major in college. Then she honed those skills through 18 years of experience in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Kennedy Center. While at those world-renown organizations, LeDoux routinely pursued grants for programs and public art projects. “Those experiences prepared me well,” LeDoux said. “We had to write our own grants to sustain programs we created, and that’s how I got my start. I learned so much about researching sources and tapping into what foundations are looking for.”
LeDoux turned that knowledge into a company that sets itself apart in the industry by employing a full-time researcher who aligns a grant need with funding sources that are a perfect fit. Sunflower also handles annual reporting of results to grant sources through statistics, photos, and compelling stories of a grant’s impact. Sunflower’s administrator also regularly follows up with grant sources to keep a client’s application top of mind. “We’ve had clients tell us, ‘We feel like you’re part of our full-time staff,’” said LeDoux, who noted the wide-open generosity she’s found in Omaha. “That’s how well we get to know the people we work with and get to know their organization and what they’re all about. It’s a very empathetic and passionate team, and they care deeply about the groups we work with and their causes.”
Even the company’s name is meant to communicate something significant for groups seeking grants to support their mission. LeDoux loves sunflowers in general, but that type of flower has a unique characteristic that grabbed her: When sunflowers can’t find the sun, they turn and face each other until they are able to gain access to the sun’s rays. She explained, “We want to be the group that nonprofits and others can turn to when they need assistance to get back to the sun.”
It’s a very empathetic and passionate team, and they care deeply about the groups we work with and their causes.”
– Katie LeDoux
As a chiropractor who sees families that travel, and a dad with two kids who has experienced it firsthand, traveling with kids can be a true challenge. Here are a few tips to help make your next family trip a little easier for both you and your little ones.
Tip #1: When flying with a newborn, plan on feeding at takeoff and on descent prior to landing. Not only is feeding typically soothing and comforting for a baby, but the sucking motion can help regulate the pressure in the ears, making the most eventful parts of the flight that much easier.
Tip #2: When flying with a lap seat child, use family boarding. If you’ve got multiple kids and one is a lap seater, have one
parent board with the older child while the other parent waits with the youngest until the majority of the plane has boarded. This cuts down the amount of time your little one sits on the plane.
Tip #3: For those hotel stays where routines change along with the environment, we recommend traveling with a Slumberpod. This is a blackout tent that goes overtop of a pack-n-play. It’s lightweight and travel friendly. It has been a game changer helping our little one sleep in new places.
Tip #4: For older kids, technology and travel often go hand in hand. We recommend using a pillow or backpack while seated to help elevate the screen. Keeping a screen at or above eye level takes pres-
sure off the musculature in the neck.
Tip #5: The most essential travel hack is getting adjusted before and after your trip. A body that functions properly is ready to take on whatever your trip might throw your way. Time on a plane or in a car, different bed, lots of walking—you name it—your body will handle it better. Once you return, we check to make sure your body is ready to get back into your day-to-day routine.
Ready to see for yourself? You’ll notice the difference and your body will thank you. You can see what our patients are saying via our Google Reviews. For more information about how we can help you and your loved ones, visit our website at www.kucerachiropractic.com.
Trends in the interior design industry are continually evolving and resurfacing. Clients are gravitating toward an updated traditional style, mixing classic styling with modern flair. Trends seem to be recycled, always going out and coming back in different ways, while the line defining different styles blurs a little more every day. New product introductions indicate a resurgence of design trends popular during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Warmer colors, mixed metals, and a return to nature are all current industry trends.
The cool neutrals that were prevalent a decade ago have given way to a more colorful palette, including warmer earth tones and the resurgence of mauve as a go-to neutral. Cozy interiors that exuberate warmth and personality and incorporate a more eclectic feel by mixing different styles are growing in
popularity. While many clients still love the clean and simple styling, they lean toward creating a home that gives a cozier ambiance. To achieve this type of styling, our designers at Interiors Joan and Associates incorporate fine details like textured or patterned fabrics and wallcoverings, as well as earth tones and warmer finishes.
Notes of nature are also growing in popularity, whether this includes incorporating a landscape wallcovering or botanical patterned fabrics, as well as earth tones throughout materials. Natural exposed wood has been a consistent trend in the design world, whether it is incorporated into cabinets, flooring, or baseboards and casings, to furniture like dining or console tables. Natural wood elements, including live edges and natural finishes are prevalent in the furniture industry.
Many homeowners continue to choose the warmth of wood features throughout their main living spaces, while using rugs, draperies, and upholstery to add softness, giving that homey feeling. Many clients also love the look and feel of exposed wooden beams, but the cost and labor can often deter clients from pursuing these design choices. Faux beams can be a more accommodating option for many, which are more cost effective and weigh less, cutting costs on installation labor.
Mixing metals is another popular trend. By mixing and coordinating finishes, this helps a client’s home come to life in big ways with small details, helping more accurately capture the ambiance of a homey feel as well as incorporating a uniform yet casual feel to a space. Plumbing, light fixtures, and cabinet hardware—the “jewelry” of the home—offer opportunities to add subtle detail and personality to a space.
What goes around will always come back with a modern twist. Chasing the latest trend is giving way to a desire to incorporate authenticity, function, and personality within a space, while others might go for a more eclectic style, incorporating different styles and trends from different eras throughout their spaces.
Westside High School senior Noah
Atlas’s intense drive and creativity keep him focused. Once he starts something, he isn’t satisfied until he finishes. This drive turned his love for sports into a first-place finish at the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) State Journalism competition as well as a paid gig working for News Channel Nebraska.
Edge: Why sports journalism?
Atlas: I’ve been heavily into all types of sports my whole life—football, baseball, basketball. Mainly for entertainment, but I also get a certain amount of joy playing them as well. When I saw a sports journalism class offered at Westside, I decided it would be good for me to try because I could end up doing it as a career when I got older. Everything about the class really came naturally to me. I’m just writing articles about something I love.
other sports news writer got, basically a summary overview of a fictional state championship basketball game. I took what I was given and just wrote and wrote and wrote. Somehow it all fell into place.
Story by SHELLY NOSBISCH Photos by OMAHA HEADSHOT COMPANYEdge: What was the 2023 NSAA State Journalism Contest like?
Atlas: When I arrived, they put me in a room with the same stat sheet that every
I didn’t know what to expect. At the end of the contest, they started calling up the eight people in my category from eighth place to first place. I kept waiting, but my name wasn’t called. Then the student who was the head of Westside’s sports journalism department, who was in the same category as me, placed second. As they counted down to number one and they called my name, I was so happy. I knew my story was good, but I didn’t know what to expect. It was cool.
Edge: What was going through your
mind when you realized you had won?
Atlas: I was very surprised. I believed in myself, so I wasn’t shocked, but it was still a huge surprise. I was happy to see my work pay off.
Edge: How did you get the job working for News Channel Nebraska?
Atlas: I’ve always let my creativity run wild. I like to see where my mind takes me. I’ve been into video editing and doing sports edits just for fun. To me, it’s another form of sports journalism and telling the story. News Channel Nebraska noticed my work and they hired me to do sports edits of clips and highlights around the state of Nebraska.
Noah’s father, Brett Atlas: They hired Noah to help develop this portion of their digital marketing division. They are working together to incorporate these short edits into promotions for football, basketball and other events through social media and other outlets. He’s on the cutting edge of the changes in journalism, and he’s getting paid to do it.
Edge: Basketball is your first love?
Atlas: Football was probably my first love, but my dad played in high school and had a few injuries, so he wouldn’t let me play beyond flag football. I’ve played basketball my whole life, including two years for Westside. I’ve always had the most fun playing basketball, and I watch it a lot. I’m a big Chicago Bulls and KU Jayhawks fan.
Edge: What else do you do in your free time?
Atlas: I have three jobs this summer. In addition to News Channel Nebraska, I work at Crisp & Green in Omaha, and I’ll be a camp counselor for two weeks at Camp Sabra at Lake of the Ozarks.
Edge: What are your future plans?
Atlas: I had planned to study business in college, but now it’s about exploring what I can do. Whether it’s sports media and making edits or writing articles and possibly working for a big company like ESPN, I’m focused on learning more about the different routes I might choose to take.
As the solo swimmer from Mercy High School, senior Grace Swoboda’s experience has been quite different from other high school athletes. “I swim with kids from Brownell Talbot, Roncalli, and Concordia as part of one team,” Swoboda said. “I love my school, but I do wish we had enough people to make our own team.” Jimmy Parmenter, Brownell Talbot’s head swim coach, thinks highly of Swoboda. “Grace has an amazing feel for the water, and that’s something you can’t teach. She can swim everything, so she gives us a great mainstay to build around. It doesn’t matter what event we put her in, she’ll step up and do a great job.”
Swoboda began swim lessons at Ralston High School at three years old. “I joined my first summer recreational team at age seven. I decided to take the sport to the next level at age nine where I joined the Sarpy County Swim Club. It’s amazing to see my own progress starting from getting only participation ribbons to where I am today.”
She loves swimming because it’s both an individual and a team sport. “I get to challenge myself and rely on myself, while at the same time getting the benefits of being a part of a team. I recently switched teams from Sarpy County to Greater Omaha Aquatics (GOAL). I was able to find support from friends on both sides. My friends from the prior team supported me in my decision and my new ones welcomed me with open arms.”
GOAL swim coach Tom Beck believes
Swoboda is an extremely coachable athlete. “She really takes advantage of feedback and focuses herself at practice to improve her technique. She can calm herself and perform well under pressure situations. Grace has been a pleasure to coach and is really improving week by week right now.”
Swoboda needed the support of her swim teams when her younger sister, Lizzy, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2021. Although doctors initially thought Lizzy was suffering from migraines, an MRI showed a brain tumor the size of a softball. “Cancer is a rollercoaster of days, and really good days can turn drastic in mere moments,” Swoboda shared.
Swoboda’s high school swim team supported her through her younger sister Lizzy’s death, even putting #LoveLizzy on the back of their state shirts or writing it on their arms. “State swimming was a week before her death, and right after the prelims session I found out that she wasn’t going to live much longer.” Despite Lizzy going on hospice care, Swoboda was able to momentarily escape her grief by focusing on swimming. “I still swam the finals session and placed 6th in the 100 breaststroke. Her death didn’t stop me because I knew she was rooting for me the whole time, and she still is. Grief can stop a lot of people from moving forward, but I wouldn’t let it stop me then and it won’t now.”
Lizzy was 11 years old when she died on March 4, 2022. “Lizzy is my inspiration and my angel supporter. She was watching me compete on television the
week prior to her death and now she’s watching me from heaven. I keep moving forward because she’d do the same.”
Swoboda is proud that she has never stopped trying to improve her swimming. “There are occasionally those off days, but I always find my way back,” she said. “Swimming has always been a constant thing for me, and I’m proud of my perseverance, progress, and dedication.”
An active member of the Mercy High School community, Swoboda is a member of National Honor Society, student council, and is the newly inducted secretary of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). She is also establishing a mental health club that focuses on ways students can de-stress at school. The activity she’s most passionate about is an organization called Lolo’s Angels. This non-profit organization helps plan activities and raise money for kids with cancer.
Swoboda is an officer and group leader for Lolo’s Angels. She has provided photography services, helped with toy drives, and organized a Halloween get together for the kids and their families. “It’s life changing to be able to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and help people in a situation very similar to my own,” she said. “It’s helped me to be able to do something physical and brighten these kids’ days. I hope one day I will be able to speak to those in the organization or the families about what I went through. We are making an impact at Lolo’s Angels and you can see it.”
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